Testing system



March 14, 1944. B. McKlM 2,344,316

TESTING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 TEL E PHONE CIRCUIT mam/70R B. MCK/M B -mqa.

A TTORNEY March 14, 1944. B. McKlM 2,344,316

TESTING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVEN7UR B. McK/M A TTORNEV FIG. 3

March 14, 1944.

B. M KIM TESTING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNI/ENTOR B. McK/M ATTORNEY March 14, 1944. B. McKlM TESTING SYSTEM INVEN 70/? B. McK/M ATTORNEY Filed Jan. 25, 1942 5 Sheets-meet 4 March 14, 1944. B. M KlM TESTING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 23, 1942 A T TORNE Y B. McK/M By WWW WW QQm Qmw wk 95m E WEE 3R Patented Mar. 14, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TESTING SYSTEM Burton McKim, East Orange, N. J., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York,- N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 23, 1942, Serial No. 427,866

ll Claims. (Cl. 179-17511) This invention relates to telephonesystems and more particularly to a control circuit for regulating testing equipment in such a system.

The object of thepresent invention is to provide arapid and economical system of controlling the operations of a plurality of testing devices.

A feature of this invention consists in the division of a test control system common to a telephone office into a plurality of different master test control devices and a plurality of subtest devices diiierently controlled by each master test device, the devices operable for each master test controlling the association of different testing mechanisms with a particular character of circuits and equipments to be tested and con trolling the connection of circuit leads from the testing equipment to the devices operable for making a cycle of different subtests of the circuits and equipments to be tested, the common test' controlling system having a plurality of terminal connections throughout a telephone office.

Another and relatedfeature of this invention consists in a portable remote control testing unit having control keys and'resistances arranged according to a numerical system corresponding to master test numerical designations arranged for connection with differently located terminals of the common test control system for selectively operating the master test and subtest devices.

Another and related feature consists in a method and means for making a cycle of subtests or individual tests of units of equipment under the control of master test selecting and testing circuits which terminate the cycle of tests withw.

in the cycle or at the end of said cycle,

Another and related feature consists in actuating a cold cathode tube by either the operation or the release of a master test selecting relay for insuring the release of test controlling equipment operated for one mastertest before a subsequent master test can be'madeeffective;

These and other features will be discussed more fully in the following description.

To illustrates the features of the invention ref erence may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figs, 1 to 5 when arranged as indicated in Fig. 6-illustrate the detailed structure of the test control circuit.

Fig. 1 illustrates a test'controlbox, test jacks and patching cords for making connections from the control box to any of a plurality of such test jacks in a telephone oflice. An interrupter circuit-for the testingcircuit is also shown in the 4 lower portion of this figure;

Fig. 2 illustrates master test selecting relays, test control relays and. release control equipment;

Fig. 3 illustrates a control circuit for the individual tests within a master test or cycle of tests;

Fig, 4 illustrates the circuit and equipment employed in making a cycle-of tests within any master test; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a plurality of relays representing a plurality of master tests each arranged to control a cycle of tests of a particu ar unit of equipment and associated circuits.

The testing system illustrated in the drawings is adapted for testing many different apparatus units of a telephone oflice, each of which requires a plurality of individual tests. A plurality of jacks, such as jack 35, 36, 41 and 48 used as terminal connections for access to the test control system common to the oflice may be located on a number of different equipment units in multiple with each other so that the unit of equipment being tested is. available to a test man for manipulation and observation during these tests. For example, these jacks and other jacks and plugs such as 532 and 533 may be placed .in different locations in a manually operated switchboard for making a large plurality of tests of circuits and equipment in the switchboard and circuits and equipment outside of the switchboard which terminate in the switchboard positions and may be placed in difierent locations throughout the telephone ofiice switching or apparatus room for testing circuits and equipments not accessible from the switchboard. The test box I0 is a portable test unit which may be patched, by use of the patching cords and plugs shown, to any of the jacks throughout the telephone ofiice. The relays and other equipment common to the office maybe mounted permanently on an apparatus frame and operated by remote control from test box l0.-

A testing chart may be provided as a part of the test mans equipment which covers the test numbers for the units of equipment to be tested,

known herein as master test numbers, and designate the plurality of individual subtests of each unit of equipment to be made under control of the master test equipment. This comprises a cycle of tests terminated by the master testing circuit. It will be noted that the switches or keys l5 and IS in the portable test box [0 herein described as keys, are each numbered 1, 2 and 3 in indicate the settings for each switch or key. These keys are used for selecting any of a plurality of master tests which are designated with numbers corresponding to the settings of the keys. For example, key l when set in position 1 and key [6 when set in position 1 actuates selecting relays in a circuit for making a plurality of tests under the control of master test I I. Key [5 when set in position 2 and key 16 when set in position 1 actuates the circuits for making a plurality of tests under the control of master test 2|. Fig. 5 illustrates the circuits and equipment for four master test circuits ll, [3, 2| and 22 which may be actuated by the position of keys l5 and I6 in positions corresponding to the numerals of the test numbers, Keys ll, [2, I8, 23 and 25 are used for making the individual tests within each master test. The following chart gives an example of the character of tests which may be made by an operator.

of the portable test box l6.

Cycle #1 Cycle #2 Master test Subtest Relays Subtest Relays 11 1 408-409 5 400-401 Key -1 2 410-411 Key 16-1 12 1 408-409 5 400-401 Key 15-1 2 410-411 6 402-403 Key 16-2 7 404-405 8 406-407 13 1 408-409 5 400-401 Key 15-1 2 410-411 6 402-403 Key 16-3 3 4121-413 7 404-405 4 414-415. 8 406-407 Subtest relays for master test 13 combined as described.

21 1 408-409 5 400-401 Key 15-2 2 410-411 6 402-403 Keg 16-1 3 412-413 z Combination subtest relay control as described.

Key 15-2 1 408-409 400-401 Key 16-2 2 410-411 400-401 3 412-413 400-401. 4 408-409 5 410-411 6 410-411 7 412-413 8 412-413 9 412-413 23 Key 15-2 1 408-409 Key 16-3 2 410-411 a The subtests of Cycle #1 and Cycle #2 may be separately conducted, automatically combined under control of the master test relay or may be manuall-y combined under the control of the master test relay and keys 23 and 25 as shown as described.

The test control circuit is operated by the insertion of the patching cords and. plugs into the jacksof the portable test box I0 and the multiple jacks 35, 36, 31 and 48 and jacks and plugs 536 to 535 as required according to the setting of keys l5 and 16. Assuming for example that key 15 is in position 1 and key 16 is in position 1 and the lugs 31-, 32, 33, 3 4 and 43, 44', 45 and 46 are placed in the jacks asassociated on the drawings, the following circuits and equipmen will beactuated for master test I I.

Relay 261 is energized over a circuit which may be. traced from ground on the sleeve conductor of jack 36, through the sleeve of plugs 34 and 32 and the associated patching cord, sleeve of jack l9, lam-p 2T, sleeve of jack 34, sleeve of plugs 63 and 45 and associated patching cord, sleeve of jack 4? thence over conductor 66, winding of relay 26-1, winding of relay 355, resistance 369 to battery. Relay 360 does not operate in the circuit traced. Relay 261 establishes. an. obvious-75 circuit for the operation of relay 204 which provides a source of ground and a source of battery to a number of different circuits. The circuits of interest at this time established .by relay 204 are as follows: The biasing circuit for relays 266, 201, 360 and 302 may be traced from ground on contact 6 of relay 204 over conductor 233, upper Winding of relays 306 and 362, resistance 202, upper windings of relay 21H and 2116, contact 4 of relay 264, resistance 2l9 to battery. This biasing circuit also extends through resistance 203 to ground on contact 1 of relay 264 to giv relays 260 and 20! the proper bias.

Relay 264 connects ground through its contact 2v to conductor 6| for initiating the operation of relays 53,v 56,. 51 and 66 under the control of interrupter 52. The interrupter relay 53, 56, 5 and 66 operate continuously in the following order to connect interrupted ground with lamp control conductors 66 and 14 for flashing the lamp of control box H] as shown and as will be described:

Relays Step lntergipter Closes Op Op Opens r. 0p Closes Rls Op Opens Rls Cl0ses Op Rls Opensn Op Closcs Rls Rls Opens Rls from ground over conductor 6| through contact 4 of relay 56, contact land the winding of relay 66, resistance 59 to battery. When interrupter 52 is opened shunt across the winding of relay 53 is removed causing relay 53 to operate from battery through resistance 54, winding of relay 53, contact 3 of relay 56 to ground on conductor 6|.

The next closure of interrupter 52 causes the release of relay 56 by placing a ground shunt through contact 2 of relay 53 to a point between resistance 55 and the winding of relay 56. The release of relay 56 removes a shunt across the winding of relay 51 causing the latter relay to operate. Relay 5! was shunted by ground on conductor 6| through contact 4 of relay 56. This relay now operates over circuit from battery, resistance 58, winding of relay 51, contact 1 of relay 66 to ground on conductor 6|. When the interrupter opens, relay 53 is released since it no longer is associated with ground through the interrupter to conductor 6|. The next closure of the interrupter again operates relay 56 and causes the release of relay 60. Relay 56 operates from battery through resistance 55, winding of relay 56, contact 3 of relay 56, interrupter 52 to ground over conductor 6!. The operation of relay 56 places a shunt around the winding of relay 60 'from ground over conductor 6| through contact viously traced. -When the interrupter 52 again effective. When any of the master test selectcloses, relay 55 is released because ground exing relays 208, 209, 210 or 2| 1 are energized or tends through the inner contact 2 of relay 53 to released the association of the armature with shunt the Winding ofrclay 56. The release of the make-before-break contacts momentarily conrelay causes the release of relay 5'1. Since nects the two contacts and armature together in with relay 60 released there is no longer a ground passing and thus connects substantially 130 volts associated with the winding of relay 5'1, the next across the control gap of tube 214 causing a main opening of the interrupter causes the release of gap breakdown whenever one of these relays is relay 53 by placing a shunt through contact 3 of either operated or released. This establishes a relay 56 in the manner previously described. The circuit for relay 213 from ground on contact 2 operation and release of'the interrupter relays of relay 212 to the element of tube 214 and a continues in this manner. 'It is apparent from secondary control circuit for tube 214. The opthe above description that relays 53 and 56 opereration of relay 213 disconnects ground from its ate twice during one operation of relays 5'1 and contact 2 which ground is used for energizing 60, so that interruptions per minute are ob- 1:, e co trol equ pment S ow n Fi s. 3 a d tained through the contacts of relay 60, while 60 The circuit for relay 212 is opened at contact 1 interruptions per minute are obtained through of relay 213 but this relay is slow to release in the contacts of relay 56. This interrupted ground order to provide sufficient time for all apparatus is connected to conductors '19, 80, 81 and 82 in Figs. 3 and 4 to be released when any of it is through the contacts of the relay Fig. 4 to con- 20 operated. Relay 212 releases after a, time interductors 68 and '14 for flashing lamps as will be val opening the circuit from ground through its llater described, contact 2, winding of relay 213, to the control Another circuit established by the operation of element of tube 214. This extin er the t relay 204 extends from ground on contact 8 of 214 and restores relay 213 to normal. When rethe'latter relay, through contact 1 of relay 213, lay 253 restores to normal the circuit for relay winding of relay 212 to battery which operates 212 is reestablished as origina y t ac d to relay 212. With keys 15 and 16 both in position 1 ground on contact 8 of relay 204. At this time for master test 1 1, two circuits are established for ground is connected from contact 2 oi relay 213, the operation of relays 205 and 206. A circuit contact 1 of relay 212, conductor 241 to the armay be traced from ground on the sleeve of jack matures 2, 3 and 4 of relay 500 which controls 36,througn the patching cord and associated jack master te t number ThllS ground s on- 19 in the test box 10, position 1 of key 15, resistnected to leads 235, 236 and 23? extending to the ance 1'1, tip of jack 24, tip of plug 43 and the ascontrolapp us Fig. 3 and the subtest cy e o sociated patching cord, tip of plug 46, tip of jack r lays g. 4.

48 thence over conductor 62, lower winding of The following is an example of the combinarelay 201, winding of relay 206 to battery. The tions of master test selecting relays created by second circuit'is established from the same ground the operation of keys 15 and 16: y

v Master test selecting relays Master Master test test relay 205 206 203 209 210 211 200 201 operated Down Down Up Up Down Down 500 Up Down Up Up Up Down 502 Down Down Up Down Down Down 501 Down Down Down Down Down Down 503 through position 1, key 16, resistance 22, ring of In the above table at least one of the relays jack 24, plug 43, plug 4'1 and jack 48 over con- 208, 209, 210 or 211 is operated for selecting ductor 63, lower Winding of relay 200, winding of master test control devices for master tests relay 215 to battery. The resistances 1'1 and 22 50 11, 13 and 21 and all of these relays are released in series with the circuits traced prevent the opfor selecting master test 22, but as herein deeration of relays 200 and 201 but cause the operascribed, either the operation or the release of tion of relays 205 and 206. Relay 205 establishes any one of these selecting relays causes a breaka circuit for relay 210. Relay 206 establishes a down of tube 21 for energizing the time delay circuit for relay 21 1. With relays 210 and 21 1 encircuit.

ergized, a circuit may be traced for relay 500, Ground connected to lead 236 extends through which controls master test 11, from battery contact 1 of relay 31!). contact 1 of relay 312, through its winding, contact 1 of relay 208, conwinding of slow operating relay 305 to battery.

tact 2 of relay 209, contact 2 of relay 210, contact his ground from conductor 23% also extends 1 of relay 211 to ground on contact '7 of relay 204. 0 through the makebefore-break contact of relay The actuating circuit for tube 210, relays 212 305 over conductor 15, winding of relay 208 to and 2L3 will be described at this time since a battery which operates relay 468 before the slow circuit for this apparatus is established whenever operating relay 335 disconnects the inner contact any of the master test selecting relays 21. 8, 209, from the contact connected to conductor 15. Re- 210 or 211 operate or release. The arrangement lay 108 in operating looks through contact 1 of disclosed is a circuit and apparatus combination relay 410, conductor 59, armature 2 of relay 305, for remotely controlled tim ng device which inner contact 2 of relay 355 at the time that this responds instantly when a circuit is established relay operates and thence over conductor 266 as in box 10 for selecting a master test control relay traced to ground on contact 2 of relay 213. The according to numerical designation. It should, operation of relay 408 establishes a circuit for, however, be borne in'mind that the particular relay 439 from battery through the winding of function of this apparatus is to open the current the latter relay, contact 8 of relay 4138, contact source supply circuit for insuring the release of 8 of relay 410, contact 11 of relay 412, contact 5 all of the test control apparatus Figs. 3 and 4 bes, of relay 114, conductor '10, contact 1 of relay 304,

fore the selected master test circuits are made 7 contact 2 of relay 305 to ground on conductor 236. The operation of relays 408 and 409 establishes the first subtest circuits for master test II. These control circuits extend through the contacts of relays 408 and 409, contacts of master test relay 500 to testing circuit 550 for controlling the test of the unit of equipment 55L Th specific nature of the subtest within the master test is not a part of this invention and therefore has been diagrammatically shown in order to simplify the disclosure. The control circuits for these tests have been shown by a single dotted line carried from the subtest control leads, Fig. 4, through a single contact of the master test relay 500 to the testing circuit 550. This dotted line represents a large plurality of control circuit leads carried through an equivalent number of contacts on the master test relays. However, only such control leads are connected from the subtest relay to the testing circuits by the master test relays as are required for master test II to control the individual equipment in the difierent testing circuits 550 responsive to the operation of each subtest relay combination, Fig. 4. Three different'circuit, combinations are created in the testing equipment which have been shown diagrammatically as combinations 552, 553, and 554, each being responsive successively to the operation of the subtest control relays successively operated for subtest 1, subtest 2 and subtest 5 which control mechanism of this testing circuit for making three tests of circuits and equipment in unit 55I. This unit 55I may be a toll operators position circuit having three tests made of the ring and lockout circuits and equipment of the position. Thus the operation of relays 408 and 409 controls the operation of testing equipment 552 for making a ringing test or a test of ringing equipment in toll position 55I which is connected by plugs and jacks to the testing circuit 550.

The next subtest 2 is made by the operation of key 23 in the portable test box I0. This connects ground extending from the sleeve of jack 36 as previously traced, through the contacts of key 23, sleeve of jack 24, sleeve of plugs 43 and 45 and jack 41, thence over conductor 04 through the winding of relay 201, over conductor 234, lower winding of relay 300, resistance 309 to battery operating relay 300. Relay 201 was already operated in a circuit previously traced through lamp 2?. The operation of relay 300 by the application of direct ground through key 23 associates a ground through its contact and the winding of relay 304 to battery operating relay 304. The operation of relay 304 disconnects lead ID from ground connected to the armature of relay 305 by lead 230 and connects this ground to lead II. Ground associated with lead II establishes a circuit for relay 4 I i) to initiate the second subtest. The circuit for relay 4! may be traced from ground on contact 2 of relay 2 I3, contact 1 of relay 262, lead 24l, contact 3 of master test relay 500, lead 236, contact 1 of relay 3I0, contact 1 of relay 3I2, contact 2 of relay 305, contact 1 of relay 304, lead II, contact 4 of relay 4I5, contact 8 of relay 4I3, contact 7 of relay M I, contact of relay 409, winding of relay M0 to battery. The operation of relay 4I0 opens the locking circuit for relay 408 which extended through contact 1 of relay 4I0 causing the release of relay 408. The release of relay 408 establishes a locking circuit for relay 4I0 from battery through its winding and its contact 6, contact 1 of relay 4i 2, contact 1 of relay 408, conductor 60 which extends through the armature and contact 2 of relay 305 to ground over conductor 2%. Upon the release of key 23 relays 300 and 304 are released. The release of relay 304 again associates ground from conduc tor 230 through its contact 1 to conductor I0 for the operation of relay M I. This circuit extends through contact 5 of relay 4 I 4, contact 11 of relay 4 I 2, contact 8 of relay 4| 0, winding of relay 4I I to battery. The operation of relay 4 opens the locking circuit for relay 409 which extended through its contact 1. The release of relay 409 establishes a locking circuit for relay 4 from battery through its winding and contact 5, contact 1 of relay 4I3, contact 1 of relay 409, thence over conductor 69, contact 2 of relay 305 to ground as traced over conductor 236. Subtest 2 of the apparatus unit controlled by master test I I is now conducted. Conductors for subtest 2 also extend through the contacts of relay 500 controlling the test of unit of equipment 55I by the operation of testing mechanism 553. Conductor 82 associated with contact 3 of relay 60 extends a 30 1PM flashing signal to the control box I0. Conductor 82 may be traced from contact 3 of. relay 60 through contact 6 of relay M I, thence over conductor I4, through resistance 308, winding of relay 300, winding of relay 209, conductor 64, sleeve of jack 41, sleeve of plugs 45 and 43, sleeve of jack 24 and lamp 201 which extends to ground on the sleeve of jack 36 as previously traced. It will be remembered that this lamp was lighted over a circuit from battery through resistance 309 over the circuit traced through relays 300 and 201, filament of lamp 2! to ground on the sleeve of jack 30. The ground from the interrupter relay 60 places a shunt on lamp 21 by reducing the current supply from battery through resistance 309 and causes the lamp 2! to be intermittently dimmed approximately 30 times per minute. This indicates that subtests 1 and 2 have been completed. Other lamps of the control box (not shown) are energized from the particular unit of equipment under test which are controlled by the testing equipment 550. This indicates to the operator of the control box I0 whether any fault is encountered in the unit of equipment under test. In master test II the cycle of tests in the lower relays Fig. 4 extends as far as test 2 connected by this operation of relays M0 and 4. Therefore, for this master test, relays 4I2, 4I3, M4 and M5 are not used. If the test man should again operate key 23, the cycle is terminated automatically under the control of the master test relay 500 and relay 408 would again be operated instead of proceeding through the cycle to operate relay 4 I2. A recycle of tests 1 and 2 may thus be made by a third and fourth operation of key 23. It will be noted that the winding of relay 4I2 is not extended through the master test relay 500 but is extended through other master test relays such as 502, 503 and 50L A third en.- ergization of key 23 for master test II would energize relay 304 as previously described which would again connect ground to conductor II. This ground over conductor H extends through contact 4 of relay 4I5, contact 8 of relay 4I3, armature and inner contact 7 of relay 4I I, contact 1 of master test relay 500, conductor 530. winding of relay 408 to battery. The energization of relay 408 opens the locking circuit for relay 4I0 which establishes a locking circuit for relay 408 through its contact 6, contact 1 of relay 4I0, thence over conductor 09 to ground on conductor 236. When key 23 is released, which releases relay 304 a circuit is established for relay 409 as previously traced through the lower contact of relay 4I0 which has now been released. Thus a repeat test of subtest i has been established through contact 1 of master test relay 500 which also prevented the cycle of tests from beingextended by mistake.

The third test made in master test H consists in operating the first relays 400 and 401 in the upper row of relays, Fig, 4. This controls subtest 5, the subtest numbers being arbitrarily given to the cycle of tests. which do not necessarily in: dicate the number of the subtest within any par ticular cycle of tests. For this subtest key is energized to control the establishment .of a different character of subtest. Key 25 when operated connects ground from the sleeve of jack36 over the patching cord circuits previously-traced to the tip of jack 26, tip of plug 44 and the tip conductor of the patching cord, tip of plug 45, tip of jack 41, thence over conductor 65, lowerwinding of relay 302, resistance 303 to battery energizing relay 302. An obvious circuit is thus established for relay 312 which initiates a cycle of tests through the upper relays Fig. 4 and releases any relays in the lower cycle of tests which have previously been operated. Ground extending to relay 305 over lead 236 is open at contact 1 of relay 312 causing the release of relay 305. Relay 312 connects conductor 235 through its contact 2, winding of relay 310 to battery and also connects conductor 16 to conductor 13, the use of whichwill be later de-' scribed. Relay 310 operates over a circuit traced from battery through its winding, contact 2 of relay 312, conductor 235, contact 2 of master test relay 500, conductor 241, contact 1 of relay 212, contact 2 of relay 213 to ground. Relay 310'es- 'tablishes a locking circuit for itself through contact 3 of relay 304 to ground over conductor 235 as above traced. Conductor236, it will be noted, is also opened by the operation of relay 310. This relay connects lead 231 through contact 2 of relay 304, winding of relay 3| 1 to battery which establishes an operating circuit for relay 311 over the following circuit: Ground from contact 2 of relay 213, contact 1 of relay 212, contact 4 of relay 500, contact 2 of relay 310, contact 2 of relay 304, winding of relay 3 to battery. The opening of ground on lead 236 releases any of the relays in the lower subtest cycle 408 to 411 which were previously operated. The ground extended to the winding of relay 311 for its operation also extends over conductor 11, through the winding of relay 400 to battery operating this relay Since relay 311 is slow in operating this circuit is established until the armature 2 of this relay opens its inner contact When relay 31 I operates after a period of time, a locking circuit is established for relay 400 which extends from battery through its winding and contact 6, contact 1 of relay 402, conductor '16, armature and contact 2 of relay 311, contact 2 of relay 304, contact 2 of relay 310, thence over conductor 231 through contact 4 of master test relay 500 to ground on contact 2 of relay 213. The release of key 25 releases relay 302 which in turn releases relay 312. The release of relay 312 establishes a circuit for relay 401 which may be traced from battery through its winding, contact '7 of relay 400, contact 5 of relay 402, contact 3 of relay 404, contact '7 of relay 406, conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 312, contact 2 of relay 31 I, contact 2 of relay 304, contact 2 of relay 310 to ground, over conductor .231 as previously traced. Relay 401 in operating establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 5, contact 1 of relay 403, conductor '16, thence through contact 2 of relay 3| 1 to the operating ground over conductor 231. as previously the subtest apparatus 554 under the control of relays 400and 401, transmits appropriate signals to the test man as the unit of equipment is tested. The test man may now return to subtests 1 and 2 if he desiresby again operating key 23. The operation of key 23 energizes relay 304 as previously described which disconnects lead 16 from lead 231 to remove .the holding ground for relays 400 and 401n'causing their release. Relays 403, 400, 410 and 411 are energized as pleviously described ior repeating the subtests 1 and 2. The subtest cycle may include as many subtests as required and is only limited by the master relay and subtest advance keys. This may be regulated to include all of the plurality of subtests shown which may be repeated as often as required. With additional pairs of subtest relays the cycle of subtests may be made to include any number of subtests.- The test man may now select another master test for testing a different unit of equipment. V

For, another example, let it be assumed that master test 22 isselected by the test man and consequentlykey 1.5 is moved into position 2 and key 16 is moved into" position 2.- This is the neutral position of both keys since master test 22 does not require the operation 'of any of the master test selecting relays 20,8, 209, 210 or 21 1. The mechanisin' for opening thecurrent'source supply circuit to the control relays Figs. 3 and 4, comprising relays 212, 213 and tube 214 must, therefore, be energized by the release of relay 210 or relay 211 which were operated for selecting master test 1 1. It will be remembered that the same mechanism was energized by the operation of these relays when master test 11 was selected. When keys 15 and 16 are moved to position 2, relay 210 and 211 are released as a result of the release of relays 205 and 206. The movement of keys I5 and 16. does not affect the operating circuit for relays 201 and 204 and consequently relay 212 is normally operated from ground on contact 8 of relay204. The releaseof either relay 210 or 211 .causes the relay armature 2 and both contacts of thefcontinuity contact to be momentarily brought together in passing. This connects-battery 218 'of approximately volts across the control gap of tube 214 to cause a main gap breakdown. The resistances for this circuit are arranged proporohms. The breakdownof tube 214 creates a ciricuit for relay 213 to ground on contact 2 of relay 212' which takes over the control of the tube until .thisgro'und is opened. Relay 213 opens the op- "erating circuit for slow releasing relay 212. Re-

Tlay 213 also, opens the current source supply ground extending .over conductor 241 through contacts 2, 3 and 4 of relay 500 to conductors 235, 236 and 231, used for master test 11,.through contacts land'2 of relay 503 to conductors 238 'jand239, used for master test 22 and through'conij'tacts 51 and 6 of relay 502 to conductors 239 and 240, used for master test 13. The operating and locking circuits for'allofv the individual test con- 'trol relays of Figs. 3 and 4" are held opened by the operation'of relay 213 so that nocircuits may The established rcr a period or time 'suflicient to "guaranteethe' release of all test relayswhich were operated during the preceding .test ll.v The re- ,lease of the slow release relay'212 also opens the currentsource-"supply circuit to the 'relays of traced. The unit of equipment'55l tested by fi 5j" l i gs. 3 and' i'and opens the circuit for relay213 which opens the control circuit for tube 2| 4 which quenches the arc. The release of relay 2|3 reestablishes the operating circuit for relay 2 2 and the operation of relay 2|2 again connects the current source supply ground from contact '2 of relay 2 l3 to conductor 241.

The release of relays H and 2 in addition to exciting tube 2|4 also operated relay 503 for establishing circuits for master test 22. This circuit may be traced from battery, through the winding of relay 503, contact 1 of relay 2|0, con-' tact l of relay 2 H to ground on contact 7 of relay 204. With relay 503 operated, relay 2|3 released and relay 2|2 again operated, circuits are established to initiate the operation of test 22. The dotted line through contact 8 of relay 503 diagrammatically illustrates the connection of a plurality of control leads between the subtest relays, Fig. 4, and the testing circuit 560 for controlling the test of the circuits and equipment in unit 55L A circuit is established for relay 305 from battery, through its winding, conductor 239, contact 1 of relay 503, contact 1 of relay 2|2 to ground, through contact 2 of relay 213. Relay 305 is slow to operate and consequently the cir cuit from ground extends throughcontinuity contact 2 over conductor 15, winding of relay 408 to battery, operating the'latter relay. This relay in operating establishes a locking circuit for itself which is completed when relay 305 has operated. The locking circuit for relay 408 may be traced from battery, through its winding and contact 6, contact 1 of relay 4|0, thence over conductor 69, armature and inner contact of relay 305, thence-over conductor 239 to ground on contact 2 of relay 2|3, as previously traced. The operation of relay 305 also establishes an operating circuit for relay 409 traced from battery, through its winding, contact 8 of relay 408, contact 80f relay 4|0, contact 11 of relay '4|2, contact of relay 414, conductor 10, contact 1 of relay 3'04, contact 2 of relay 305, thence over conductor 239 to ground on contact 2 of relay 213 as previously traced through the master test relay 503. Relay 409 in operating establishes a locking circuit for itself through contact 1 of relay 4| conductor 39, contact 2 of relay 305 toground on conductor 239.

It will be noted when master test 22 is initiated that ground from contact 2 of relay 2|3 extends through contact 1 of relay 2|2, over conductor 241, through contact 2 of relay 503 to conductor 238, and that conductor 238 extends through contact 2 of relay 304, winding of relay 3l'l to battery, operating relay 31 I. The latter relay is slow to operate and consequently ground i extended through the continuity contact 2, over conductor 71, winding of relay 400 to battery which operates relay 400. When relay 3 has operated, a locking circuit is established'for relay 400 through its contact 6, contact 1 of relay 402, conductor 16,

armature and inner contact 2 of relay 3H, contact 2 of relay 304, thence over conductor 238 to ground on contact 2 of relay 2|3. The operation of relay 400 establishes a circuit for operating relay 40| from battery, through its winding, contact 7 of relay 400, contact 5 of relay 402, contact 3 of relay 404, contact 7 of relay 406, conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 3|2, contact 2 of relay 3| I, contact 2 of relay 304, and thence over conductor 238 to ground. Relay 40| establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 5, contact 1 of relay 403, thence over conductor 16 to ground as previously traced. The test conductors, through the contacts or relays 4'00 and 401,

extend through the contacts or the master test relay 503 along with the test conductors of relays 4'08 and 409 in the lower'cycle of subtests. Therefore, the test control conductors, through the contacts of relays 400 and 40|, are combined for test operations with the lower cycle tests controlled by relays 408 and-409 for subtest 1 made by the testing mechanism 562'. "The control conductors through the contacts of relays 400 and 40| are combined with the control conductors through the contacts of relays -'4|0 and 4H for subtest 2, or M2 and 4'l3'for test 3. The arrangement is such that each operation of key 23 opens the circuit for relay 3H by operating relay 304. When relay 3% releases, responsive to the release of key 23, relay 3|| is again operated provided key 25 was not operated at the same time as key 23. The reoperation of relay 3| 'I reoperates relays 400 and 40L The energization of key 23 for subtest 2 of master test 22 connects ground from jack 36 through the sleeve of the patching cord, sleeve of jack l9, contacts of key 23, sleeve of jack 24, sleeve of the associated patchin cord, sleeve of jack '47, thence over conductor '64, winding of relay 20?, lower winding of relay 300, resistance 309 to battery which energizes relay 300. The energization of relay '300 establishes an obvious circuit for relay 304. This connects ground as traced over conductor 239 through contact 2 of relay 205, contact 1 of relay 304, conductor H which extends through contact 4 of relay 4| 5, contact 8 of relay 4i3, contact '7 of relay 4, contact 5 of relay 4'09, winding of relay M0 to battery. Relay M0 in "operating opens the looking circuit for relay 408 which was established through contact 1 of relay 4|0. Relay 4|0 thus establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 6, contact 1 of relay 4|2, contact 1 of relay 403, conductor 69 which extends through contact 2 of relay 305 to ground on conductor 239. The release of key '23 causes the release of relay 304 which establishes 'an operating circuit for relay 4H. This may be traced from battery through the winding of relay 41 'I, contact 8 of relay 410, contact ll of relay 412, contact 5 of relay 4|4, conductor T0, contact 1 of relay 304, contact '2 of relay 305 to ground on conductor 239. The operation of relay 4 opens the locking circuit for relay 439 which extended through contact 1 of relay 41 This establishes "a locking circuit for relay 4H through its contact 5, contact 1 of relay '4I'3; contact 1 of relay 409, thence over conductor '39 to ground on conductor 239 as previously traced. The operation previously described in releasing relay 3 when key 23 "is actuated and reop'erating this relay "when the key is released takes place for subtest- No. 2 for combining the functions of subtest relays 400 and 40! with the subtest relays '410 and 4H as described. Subtest No. 2 is now conducted and. an interrupted flash is carried to the test man operating the test box 10. This flash 'is 30 interruptions per minute and extends from ground on contact 3 of relay 6.0 over conductor 82 through 'cfon'tac't'fi of relay 4| i, conductor l4, resistance 308 to 'a junction point in the lamp operating circuit. It will be remembered that the lamp is lighted steady from battery through resistance 309, winding of relay 300, winding of relay 201, conductor 64, thence through the sleeve of jack 4],, the patching cord an'd ja'ck 24, lamp 21', to ground on the sleeve of jack 133. The interrupted ground from contact '3 of relay shunts lamp '21, causing it to flash 30 times per minute to give the test man a characteristic signal for test No. 2. Since master test 22 includes three subtests in the cycle of tests, key 23 is again operated which again operates relays 300 and 304 over circuits as previously traced. This operation of relay 304 releases relay 3 and again associates ground from conductor 230 through contact 2' of relay 305 and contact 1 of relay 304 with conductor H. For this master test conductor H extends through contact 4 of relay 415, contact 8 of relay 413, contact '7 of relay 4! l, conductor 5520, contact 7 of master test relay 503, conductor 519, winding of relay M2 to battery operating the latter relay. The operation of relay 4l2 opens the locking circuit for relay 4l0 which extended through contact 1 of relay 4.42. Relay 412 establishes a locking circuit for itself through contact 1 of relay 4l4, contact 1 of relay 408, con ductor 09 which, as previously traced, extends through contact 2 of relay 305, conductor 239 through contact 1 of master test relay 503, contact 1 of relay NZ to ground on contact 2 of relay 2E3. The release of key 23 causes the release of relays 300 and 304 to reoperate relays 31!, 400 and 40l as previously described and establish an operating circuit for relay 4l3 which may be traced from battery through its winding contact 11 of relay 4I2, contact 5 of relay 414, conductor 10, contact 1 of relay 304, contact 2 of relay 305 to ground on conductor 230. Relay 4H3 establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 6, contact 1 of relay 435, contact 1 of relay 400,,thence over conductor '1 to ground as previously traced. The operation of relay 413 opens the locking circuit for relay 4i 1 which was traced through contact 1 of relay 413. Subtest No. 3 is now conducted and a 60-cycle flash is transmitted to the test operator. The 60-cycle flashing circuit may be traced from ground on contact 1 of relay 50 over conductor 80 through contact '7 of relay 413, conductor 14, resistance 308 to the point of the lamp operating circuit where it shunts this operating circuit to flash lamp 2'1, 60 times per minute.

If the test operatorshould again operate relay 23, the master test relay 503 controls the termination of the cycle of tests and in this case will not permit the operation of relays 4M and 415 which would be the case if the cycle of tests included four subtests. The test operator may repeat the cycle of tests by again operating key 20. Hence, this operation would again energize relay 408 through a contact provided on the master test relay 503. This operation of key 23 would again operate relay 300 and relay 304 and the circuit for reoperating relay 408 may be traced from battery through its winding, thence over conductor 530, contact 5 of relay 503, conductor 518, contact 8 of relay 413 which has remained operated, contact 4 of relay 4I5, conductor Tl, contact 1 of relay 304, contact 2 of relay 305 to ground on conductor 239. Relay 408 establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 6, contact 1 of relay M0 which was released by the operation of relay M2, conductor 60 to ground as previously traced. The operation of relay 408 opens the holding circuit for relay 412 which, as traced, was carried through contact 1 of relay 400. Upon the release of key 23 and relay 304 a circuit is established for relay 400 extending from battery through its winding contact 8 of relay 408, contact 8 of relay 410, contact 11 of relay 412,.contact 5 of relay 414 and thence over conductor '10 to ground on con-- ductor 239 as previously traced. The operation of relay 409 establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 4, contact 1 of relay 41! to ground on conductor 09. The operation of relay 409 also opens the locking circuit for relay 413 which was traced through contact 1 of relay 400. The repeat test is made by repeated operations of key 23 as previously described. This repeat test may comprise only a portion of the cycle of tests, since in this case the cycle of tests may be terminated with any subtest. The operation of keys l5 and I0 for establishing circuits to energize apparatus for another master test will cancel apparatus operated during a previous test and restore all control apparatus to normal.

Continuing with test No. 22 other test combinations are made to combine the test conductors of the upper and lower subtest cycles of Fig. 4. After relays 408 and 400 have been operated for subtest No. l, which as previously described also operates relays 400 and MM, any of the upper cycle of relays may be operated in combination with subtest 1 which use relays 408 and 409. With relays 408, 409, 400, and 40l operated and locked in position subtests 1 and 5 are combined. Key 25 may be actuated to energize subtest 6 relays 402 and 403 and release subtest 5 relays 400 and 401 while relays 400 and 400 are held locked in position. The energization of key 25 as previously traced operates relay 302 over conductor 55. Relay 302 establishes an operating circuit for relay 3i2. It should be noted in this instance that the energization of relay 3l2 does not establish an operating circuit for relay 310 since no ground is associated with conductor 235 through the contacts of master test relay 503. At this time relays 3H and 305 are held in an operated position. The energization of relay 312 thus connects ground from contact 2 of relay 2I3 through contact 1 of relay 212 thence over conductor 24| through contact 2 of master test relay 503, conductor 238, contact 2 of relay 304, contact 2 of relay 3H, contact 3 of relay 3l2,

thence over conductor '13 through contact 4 of relay 401, contact 6 of relay 405, contact 6 of relay 403, contact 7 of relay 40I, conductor 61, contact 4 of relay 310, conductor 00, winding of relay 402 to battery. Relay 402 in operating opens the locking circuit for relay 400 causing its release and thus establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 2, contact 1 of relay 404, contact 1 of relay 400, conductor '15, contact 2 of relay 3 thence to ground over conductor 238 by way of contact 2 of relay 304. The release of key 25 releases relay 312 which establishes an operating circuit for relay 403. This circuit may be traced from battery through the winding of relay 403, contact 5 of relay 402, contacts 3 of relay 404, contact 7 of relay 406, conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 3l2, released, contact 2 of relay 3 and thence to ground over conductor 238 as previously traced. The operation of relay 403 opens the locking circuit for relay 40l causing its release and establishes a locking circuit for itself through contact 1 of relay 405, contact 1 of relay 40l, conductor 10 to ground as traced. A test is therefore made with relays 408, 409, 402 and 403 operated which combines subtest 1 and subtest 6 for controlling the testing mechanism 505. The same action may continue by again operating key 25 to associate subtest '7 relays 404 and 405 with subtest 1 relays 408 and 409 if the master test relay calls for this character of operation. .However, vfor master test 22 relays 408 and 409 are only combined with relays 400 and MI, for subtests 1 and 5 and with relays 402 and 403 for subtests '1 and 6. After these combinations have been made with subtest 1 relays 400 and 400 key 23 may be operated to energize subtest 2 relays 4H) and 4| I.

The circuits for this operation were previously traced which need not be repeated. Under this conditon, it will be remembered that relay 304 is energized which releases relay 3II causing the release of relays in the upper cycle of relays that were last to be operated. The release of key 23 and relay 304 causes the operation of relay 400 and the reoperation of relay 3| I causes the operation of relay 40I along with relays 4I0 and H so that now subtest 2 and subtest 5 are combined. 'Subtest 2 may be combined with subtest 6 by actuating key which operates relay 3|? and causes the operation of relays 002 and 403 and the release of relays 400 and MM in the same manner as described for combining subtest l with subtest 6-. subtest 3 is combined with subtest 5 by again actuatingkey 23. As previously described this causes the energization of relays 300 and 304 to release relay 3H and all of the relays in the upper cycle of Fig. 4 and causes the energization first of relay M2 and when key 23 is released the energization of relay 4 I3. At this time relays 4I0 and 4| I are released as previously described and the release of key 23 as above described causes the energization of relays 400 and MM so that subtest 3 is combined with subtest 5. For combining subtest 3 with subtest 6 key 25 is actuated which energizes relay 3I2 to cause the energization of relays 402 and 403 and the release of relays 400 and MI in the manner above described. For combining subtest 3 with subtest 7, key 25 is again energized which causes the energization of relay 3I2 but maintains relays 4i 2 and M3 in an energized position. In this instance the energization of relay 3I2 establishes a circuit for subtest 7 relay 404 from battery through its windings, contact 2 of subtest 3 relay 4 I3, conductor 5 I 5, contact 4 of master 'tes't relay 503, conductor 5I0 contact 6 of subtest 6 relay 403, contact 6 of subtest '7 relay 405, contact 4 of subtest 8 relay 401, conductor I3, contact 3 of relay 3I2, contact 2 of relay 3, contact 2, of relay 304 and thence to ground over conductor 238. The operation of relay 404 opens the locking circuit of relay 402 and establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 2, contact 1 of relay 406, contact 1 of relay 400, conductor 1-0, contact 2 of relay 3 andthence to ground over conductor 238. operating circuit for subtest '7 relay 405 is established from battery through its winding, contact 3 of relay 404, contact '7 of relay 406, conductor 12, normal contact 3 of relay 3I2 which was released, contact 2 of relay 3|! to ground over conductor 238. The operation of relay 4.05 opens the locking circuit for relay 403 and establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 4, contact 1 of relay 40?, contact 1 of relay 404, conductor IE to ground as traced. Subtest 3 is thus combined with subtest 7 and in a similar manner subtest 3 may be combined with subtest 8 if so desired depending upon the wiring through the contacts of the master test relay. It is thus clear that any of the circuits through the subtest relays in the lower cycle could be combined difierently as described with any of the subtest relays in the upper cycle of Fig. 4. Any of the subtest relays of the upper cycles may be com- When key 25 is released an bined in a like manner with the subtest relays of the lower cycle.

Let it now be assumed that the test operator moves key I5 into position 1 and key I6 into position 3 to energize equipment for controlling master test I3. The circuit through position 1 of key I5 is extended from ground on the sleeve of jack 30 over the sleeve of plugs 34 and 32., SleeVe of jack I0, resistance I'I, tip of jack 24, tip of plug 43 and plug 40, tip of jack 48, thence over conductor 32, winding of relay 20I, winding of relay 206 to battery. This energizes relay 200 but does not energize relay 20I, since relay 2'0I is marginal in operation and does not operate in series with resistance H. The circuit through contact 3 of key I0 may be traced from the same ground on jack 30 through contact 3 of key I0, ring of jack 24, ring of plug 43 and plug 46, ring of jack 48, thence over conductor 03, lower winding of relay 200, winding of relay 205 to battery. Both relays 200 and 205 are energized since no resistance was in series with the winding of marginal relay 200. The operation of relay 206 energizes relay 2H over an obvious circuit. The energization of relay 200 establishes an operating circuit for relay 208 also over an obvious circuit and the energization of relay 205 establishes an operating circuit for relay 2I0 over an obvious circuit. With selecting relays 208, M0 and 2H operated a circuit is established for relay 502 controlling master test I3. This circuit may be traced from battery through the Winding of relay 502, conductor 243, contact 1 of relay 208, contact 2 of relay 209, contact 2 of relay 250, contact 1 of relay 2| I, contact 7 of relay 204 to ground. The operation of relay 502 connects certain control circuitleads from the subtest relays, Fig. 4, to the testing mechanism 510 which is operated under the control of the subtest relays for testing the circuits of equip ments of unit 5'. The operation of any of the selecting relays 208, 2I0 or 2H causes a breakdown of tube 2I4 the same as previously described for the operation or release of one of these relays. When the armature of any or all relays 203, 2"], 2 is momentarily connected to make-before-break contacts, the l30-volt battery 2I8 is connected across the control gap of tube 2I4 causing a main gap breakdown for the excitation of this tube. Relay 2 I 2 is normally energized and a circuit is immediately established for relay 2I3 from ground on contact 2 of relay 2I2, winding of relay 243 to the element of tube 2I4 which opens the current source supply circuit to the relays of Figs. 3 and 4. This circuit now controls the continued excitation of the tube 2M and maintains relay 2 I3 energized until such time as relay 2I2 is released by the opening of its circuit through contact 2 of relay 2I3 to ground. Relay 2I2 is slow to release and thus holds relay 243 operated for a period of time suificient to allow the release of all control apparatus. It will be remembered that the circuit for all of the test control apparatus, Figs. 3 and 4,

- extends to ground through contact 2 of relay 502, thence over conductors 239 and 240 to the control apparatus, Fig. 3. Ground over conductor 239 is extended through the winding of relay 305 to battery and ground over. conductor 240 extends through the winding of relay 31 1 to battery. Both relays 305 and 311 are slow to operate and before the operation of these relays a circuit is established for the relays of Fig. 4. Ground over conductor 239 extends through contact 2 of relay 305, over conductor 15, winding of relay 408 to battery. This relay locks as previously described through ground over conductor 69 after relay 305 has operated. The operation of relay 408 extends through contact 8 of relay 409, through contact 8 of relay 408 which extends from conductor 10 as previously described through contact 1 of relay 3114, contact 2 of relay 205 to ground on conductor 230. Before relay 311 has operated, ground is extended from conductor 240 through contact 2 of relay 311, thence over conductor 11, winding of relay 400 to battery which operates relay 400. After relay 311 has operated, the locking circuit is established for relay 400 through its contact 6. contact 1 of relay 402, conductor 16, contact 2 of relay 311 to ground on conductor 240. The operation of relay 400 establishes an operating circuit for relay 401 through contact 7 of relay 400, contact of relay 402, contact 3 of relay 404, contact 7 of relay 406, conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 312, contact 2 of relay 311 to ground on conductor 240. Therefore, for this subtest relays 408, 409, 400 and 401v are operated at the same time and the control leads through the contacts of these relays are carried through the contacts of the master test relay 502 to testing circuit 510. Both relays 311 and 305 remain operated throughout this master test. After the first subtest has been completed key 23 may be operated which energizes relays 410 and 41 I in the same manner as previously described. Relays 400 and 401 remain energized during the second subtest of the lower cycle of relays in Fig. 4. This may continue throughout four subtests in the lower cycle of relays 400 to 415. When it is desired that relays 402 and 403 be operated along with any of the relays 408 to 415, key 25 is operated in addition to the operation of key 23 for combining the test leads of relays 402 and 403 with any of the test leads in the lower cycle of test relays in Fig. 4. The operation of key 25 energizes relay 302 over conductor 65 as previously described. Relay 302 energizes,

relay 312 over an obvious circuit. For this test the operation of relay 312 does not energize relay 310, since ground is not associated with conductor 235. The operation of relay 312 connects conductor 16 with conductor 13 which associates ground from conductor 240 through contact 2 of relay 311, contact 3 of relay 312, conductor 13, contact 4 of relay 401, contact 6 of relay 405, contact 6 of relay 403, contact '7 of relay 401. thence over conductor 61, contact 4 of relay 310, conductor 66, winding of relay 402 to'battery. The operation of relay 402 opens the locking circuit for relay 400 which extended to contact 1 of relay 402. 'Alocking'circuit is also established from battery through the wind ing of relay 402 through its contact 2, contact 1 of relay 404, contact 1 of relay 400, thence over conductor 16 to ground. A circuit is now established for relay 403 from battery through its winding contact 5 of relay 402, contact 3 of relay 404, contact 7 of relay 406, thence over conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 312, which has now been released by the release, of key 25, thence through contact 20f relay 311, conductor 240 to ground associated with contact .6 of. the master test relay 502. Relay 403 opens the locking cir=- cuit for relay 401 which was extended through contact 1 of relay 403 and relay 403 establishes a locking circuit for itself through its contact 3, contact 1 of relay 405, contact 1 of relay 401 to ground over conductor 16.

It will be noted for this test that relay 31 1 remains operated when key 23 and relay 304 are energized, which differentiates from the master test 22 which under thatcondition carried the circuit for relay 311 through contact 2 of relay 304 causing the release of relay 311 each time relay 304 was operated. The test conductors extending through the contacts of relays 402 and 403 may now be combined with any of the test conductors of the lower cycle for test 1, 2, 3 or 4, in each case compriisng. the circuits through the contacts, of two relays, such as 410 and 411 or 414 and 415. It may be desirable to combine the test leads carried through the contacts of relays 404 and 405 with any of the test leads of tests 1, 2, 3 and 4. This is accomplished by again operating key 25, which energizes relays 302 and 312 as described. The energization of relay 312 associates ground from conductor 240 through contact 2 of relay 311, contact 3 of relay 312, thence over conductor 13, contact 4 of relay 401, contact 6 of relay 405, contact 6 of relay 403, conductor 510, contact 4 of relay 502,

conductor 514, winding of relay 404, to battery.

It should be noted that the operation of relay 4041s under the control of the contacts of the master test relay 502. Relay 404 in operating opens the locking circuit for relay 402 and establishes a locking circuit for itself as soon as key 25 is released. This locking circuit is carried through contact 2 of relay 404, contact 1 of relay 406, contact 1 of relay 400, conductor 16,

contact 2 of relay 3, to ground over conductor 240. The release of relay 312 establishes an operating circuit for relay 405 which may be traced from battery through its winding, contact 3 of relay 404, contact 7 of relay 406, conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 312, contact 2 of relay 311, to ground on conductor 240.

The operation of relay 405 opens the locking circuit for relay 403 which was established through contact 1 of relay 405. The locking circuit for relay 405 is established through its contact 4, contact 1 of relay 401, contact 1 of relay 401, to ground over conductor 16 as previously traced. Tests may now be made either separately through the contacts of relays 404 and 405 or in combination with any of the relays in the lower cycle, including relays 408 to 415. As previously stated, such contacts are carried through the contacts of the master test relay.

The succeeding operation of key 25 again operates relays 302 and 312 which establishes a circuit for operating relay 406 traced from battery, through the winding of the latter relay, contact 4. of master test relay 502, contact 6 of relay 405, contact- 4 of relay 401, conductor 13, con- .311, to ground over conductor 240. The release of key 25 releases relays 302 and 312 to establish an operating circuit for relay 401 traced from battery, through its winding, contact 7 of relay 4B6, conductor 12, contact 3 of relay 3l2, contact 2 of relay 3, thence over conductor 240 to ground Relays 406 and 461 may be used for a separate test or in combination with any pair of relays in the lower cycle of relays, Fig. 4. If key 25 is again operated, relay Mil controls the reoperation of relays M0 and dill since the cycle of tests terminates with the operation of relays 4G6 and 401. The circuit for relay 408 is traced from battery through its winding, conductor 11, through the inner contact 4 of relay 401, conductor 13, inner contact of relay 3l2, contact 2 of relay 3| 1, to ground over conductor 240. described.

Other master tests, including a plurality of subtests made by operating certain relays of Fig.

4 in a cycle, are shown in the foregoing list of master tests showing the subcombinations that may be created. Keys 15 and [6 are arranged for nine master test combinations. This may be amplified by the addition of another similar key, which three positions of the added key could be used with any position of the key shown. Thus twenty-seven master tests could be used with any cycle of subtests desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a testing system, a control circuit having electrically operable equipment, a plurality of devices in said control circuit for effecting diiTerent characters of operations of said equipment, selecting relays, means for operating or releasing certain of said selectin relays for sedifferent characters of operations of said equipment, selecting relays, means for operating or releasing certain. of said selecting relays for se lectively operating said devices, a tube, a current source supply circuit for said electrically oper- Relay MI is then energized as previously able equipment established through a contact on a first control relay normally operated and .a second control relay normally released, said second relay having its operating circuit between a contact on said first relay and an element of said tube, contact means on said selecting relays-for establishing a circuit to cause the breakdown of said tube responsive to the operation or the release of one of said selecting relays, said breakdown establishing an operating circuit for said second relay which establishes a secondary exeration of said equipment under the control of the device selected.

3. In a testing system, a control circuit having electrically operable equipment, a plurality of devices in said control circuit for effecting different characters of operations of said equipment, selecting relays, means for operating or releasing certain of said selecting relays for selectively operating said devices, a tube, a current source supply circuit for said electrically operable equipment established through the contact of a normally operative slow release relay and the contact of a normally released relay, said latter relay having its winding connected between a contact of said slow release relay and an element of said tube, contact means in said selecting relays for causing the breakdown of said tube responsive to the operation or the release of one of said selecting relays to establish an operating circuit for said normally released relay to open said current source supply circuit, said operating circuit establishing a secondary exciting circuit for said tube, means responsive to the operation of said normally released relay for opening the operating circuit for said slow release relay, means responsive to the release of said slow release relay to open said secondary exciting circuit for said tube and release the relay in said secondary exciting circuit, which reestablishes the operating circuit for said slow release relay and means responsive to the operation of said latter relay to reestablish said current source supply circuit for the operation of said equipment under the control of the device selected.

4. In a testing system, a test controlling circuit a plurality of electrically operable master test devices having identifying designations, a plurality of subtest relay differently controlled by each master test device arranged for operation successively in a cycle to successively control different subtesting circuits to variably test a unit of equipment, manually controlled switches each having a plurality of positions corresponding to said designations, control means including marginally operating relays for selectively operating said master test devices, means for moving said switches into positions for operating said control means to set up a master test device corresponding to the positions of said switches and means in a master test device for terminating the subtests at a relay within said cycle or .at the end relay of said cycle.

5. In a testing system, a test controlling circuit having electrically operable mechanisms, a plurality of electrically operable master test devices designated by numerals, for efiecting different characters of operations of said mechanisms, a plurality of subtest relays arranged for operation successively in a cycle to successively control different subtesting circuits, manually controlled switches each having a plurality of numbered positions, selecting relays, means for moving said switches into numbered positions for operating or releasing certain of said selecting relays to set up a master test device corresponding numerically to the positions of said switches, means including said mechanisms for operating said subtest relays, means in the master test devices for terminating the subtests at a subtest relay within said cycle or at the end subtest relay of said cycle, a current source supply circuit for said electrically operable mechanisms and subtest relays normally established through the contacts of a current supply relay, a tube for creating a, circuit for energizing said current supply relay to open said current source supply circuit and contact means in said selecting relays for causing a breakdown of said tube responsive to the operation or the release of one of said selecting relays when said switches are readjusted to other numerical positions for selecting a different master test device.

6. In a testing system, a test control circuit, a plurality of selectable master test devices, a first plurality of subtest relays arranged for operation successively in a cycle for making a series of subtests under the control of a master test device, a second plurality of subtest relays arranged for operation successively in a cycle for making a series of subtests under the control of a master test device, means for selecting a master test device, means for successively operatingthe relays of said first and second plurality of subtest relays and means in each master test device for controlling difierent characters of test operations and for automatically controlling the termination of the cycle of operation of either the first or the second successive subtests at a predetermined subtest in either cycle depending upon the character of control exercised by the master test device in use.

7. In a testing system, a test control circuit, a plurality of selectable master test devices, a first plurality of subtest relays arranged for operation successively in a cycle for making a series of subtests within a master test, a second plurality of subtest relays arranged for operation successively in a cycle for making a series of subtests within a master test, means for selecting a master test device, means for combining the subtest established by a relay in said first plurality of subtest relays with any of the subtests established by relays in said second plurality of subtest relays, and means in said master test device for completing the cycle of operation of either the first or the second subtest relays with the termination of a particular subtest combination.

8. In a testing system, a test control circuit, a plurality of selectable master test devices, means for operating one of said master test devices, a plurality of subtest relays arranged for operation successively in a cycle for making a series of subtests within said master test, a switch for causing the successive advance from one subtest to another through a cycle of subtests, means in said master test device for terminating said cycle of subtests with a particular subtest and means in said master test device to cause the repeat of the subtests in said cycle under control of said switch upon the reoperation of said switch after said cycle has been terminated by said master test device.

9. In a testing system, a control circuit having a plurality of master test devices, a plurality of subtest devices common to said master test devices and electrically operable mechanisms common to said master test devices and subtest devices, selecting relays for selectively operating said master test devices, a remote control set, a

plurality of testing circuits for testing a plurality of telephone circuits and equipments, means in said control set for variably operating said selecting relays for selectively operating different master test devices and for variably operating said electrically operable mechanisms under the control of the master test device selected, means in said master test devices for connecting control circuits from said subtest relays to said testing circuits and means in said control set for operating said subtest relays as controlled by the selected master test device for variably operating said testing circuits.

10. In a testing system, a control circuit having a plurality of master test devices, a plurality of subtest devices common to said master test devices and electrically operable mechanisms common to said master test devices and subtest devices, selecting relays for selectively operating said master test devices, a remote control set, a plurality of testing circuits for testing a plurality of telephone circuits and equipments, means in said control set for variably operating said selecting relays for selectively operating different master test devices and for variably operating said electrically operable mechanisms under the control of the master test device selected, means in said master test devices for connecting control circuits from said subtest relays to said testing circuits and means in said control set for operating combinations of said subtest relays for variably operating said testing circuits, said combinations being varied under the control of the difierent selected master test devices and said electrically operable mechanisms.

11. In a testing system, a control circuit having a plurality of master test devices, a plurality of subtest devices common to said master test devices and electrically operable mechanisms common to said master test devices and subtest devices, selecting relays for selectively operating said master test devices, a remote control set, a plurality of testing circuits for testing a plurality of telephone circuits and equipments, means in said control set for variably operating said selecting relays for selectively operating different master test devices and for variably operating said electrically operable mechanisms under the control of the master test device selected, means in said master test devices for connecting control circuits from said subtest relays to said testing circuits, means in said control set for operating said subtest relays as controlled by the selected master test device for variably operating said testing circuits, a time delay device for normally connecting a current source circuit to said electrically operable mechanisms, a cold cathode tube and relays in said time delay device and means on said selecting relays for causing a breakdown of said tube when any of said master test selecting relays are operated or released for actuating said time delay device relays to open said current source circuit for a predetermined period of time.

BURTON MCKIM. 

